Commissioner Ritz says he'll block appointments to EDGE board

Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz promised Monday to block any new appointments to the Memphis and Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine until the City of Memphis pays its share to set up the organization.

The promise came on a vote to re-appoint attorney Al Bright as the chairman of the group. Ritz said he'd vote for Bright Monday because EDGE "certainly needs to continue and we absolutely need a chairman" but said he'd move to block any other appointments brought to the Commission by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell until Memphis pays its part.

When EDGE was formed, the city and county agreed that they'd split start-up costs of about $15 million in half. Shelby County paid its share in a lump sum at the start.

City leaders promised to pay their share in payments over several years. The city paid $2.5 million of the total last year and will pay more than $1 million this year. Mayor Wharton has promised to have the city's share paid in the next three years.